Strip shingle



2 Sheets-Sheet l D. FINLEY Aug. 13, 1929.

F-llnL Patented Aug. l 13, 1929.

UNlTED (STATES 1,724,269 PATENT OFFICE..

DOZIER FINLEY, BERKELEY, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T THE ARAFFINE COM-PANIES, INC., OF SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

STRIP SHINGLE.

Application led October 4, 1924. Serial No. 741,667.

My invention relates to shingle-simulating roofing elements, land one ofthe objects of the invention is the provision of a roofing `element allof the units of which are identi- .5 cal in shape and which may be cutsubstantially without waste from the parent sheet.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a roofing element,the units of which can be laid together to simulate shingles and with aminimum of eii'ort.

Another object of the invention'is the provision of a rooting elementadapted to be cut from a parent sheet and which will cover .more surfacewhen laid than is occupied 1n the parent sheet.

Other objects of the invention together with the foregoing will be setforth in the following description of the preferred embodiment of meanswhich is illustrated in the drawings accompanying and forming part ofthe specification. l

It is to be understood that I do not linut myself to the showing made bythe said description and drawings as I may .adopt variations of mypreferred form within the scope of my invention as set forth in theclaims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure l is a plan view of a strip of roofing material cut into roofingelements. The transverse dash and dotline 2 2 marks the progress of thecutting operation, that p ortion of the strip to the left of the linehaving beencompletely cut or formed into roofing elements and thatportion to the right of the line remaining to be cut. In this latterortion the lines of severance are indicated indotted lines. The arrow 3indicates the direction of movement of the strip thru the cuttingmechanism.

Figure 2 is a plan view, on asomewhat larger scale than Figure 1, of oneof the roofing elements. All of these elements cut from the parent sheetare exactly alike.

Figure 3 is a plan view o f two roofing elements or unit-s as laidtogether in the same course. The dotted lines indicate the lunits of thenext lower course.

Figure 4 isa plan view of a portion of roof covered with my rootingelement.

1F igure 5 is a detail on a larger scale showing that portion of thetransverse cut between two elements enclosed in dotted lines in Figure1.

The material from which I preferably form the roofing element of myinvention consists of a felt-lilre base which is saturated lwith abituminous saturant of semi-solid character at the ordinary temperatureof the atmosphere, and which is coated on one or both sides with aharder bituminous compound, into which, on one side, are embeddedgranules of crushed slate, serpentine or like material of a sizeapproximating that of a grain of wheat, in other words the so-calledslate surfaced roofing of commerce. At the present time I prefer to cutmy roofing elements on a machine such as that illustrated in the Rosenerapplication, Serial No. 627,- 496 filed March 24th, 1924, and which ischaracterized by the fact that the severing cuts are advanced along thesheet or strip of roofing in a line perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the strip, so that as the strip advances thru the cuttingmachine there is always a line perpendicular to the longitudinal axis ofthel strip which separates the strip which has been cut from the stripwhich is about to be cut. Such a line is that designated by thereference characters 2 2 in Figure 1. y

In order to make the rooting element of my invention and the method ofits cutting clear, it will be first discussed with reference to thatportion of Figure l lying to the left of the line 2 2, that is, withreference to a parent strip of roofing which has been severed into theindividual units or roofing elements, or shingle strips, but with saidelements still lying together in what will be referred to in thisdescription as the cutting position to differentiate from the layingposition which the elements will oc cupy when laid in a roof.

In the cutting of the rooting elements the parent strip is divided bythree longitudinally extending parallel cuts 12, 13 and 14 into fournarrower strips which are divided by the transversely extending cutsdesignated as a. whole in Figure 1 by the reference characters 16 and17, into alternately occurring groups of four individual units orroofing elements, the first group composed of units 18, 19, 21 and 21and the second group composed of units 22, 23, 24 and 25.

When the rooting elements or units are laid in a roof, it is desiredifthe unit be a long one such as that shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2, toAform the exposed portion of the unit with slots so as to provide ineach lli) unit, shingle-simulating tabs, the slots apgearing to be, inthe laid roof, the spaces etween the individual shingles. Theseslotsfare cut in the elements at the same time the elements areseparated from the parent sheet, thus in the units 18 and 19, slots 27,28 and 29 aie formed, half in each unit. These slots mayall be of thesame width or they may vary somewhat in width for the sake of destroyingthe tendency to geometrical regularity in the laid root. f'hile thisfactor is of little importance structurally, it is of very realimportance artistically and commercially. In a similar manner slots 31,32 and 33 are cut in the two elements 20 and 21; and slots 34, 35 and3G, in the elements 23 and 24 of the next group, are formed in the sainemanner. In this group however the outside elements 22 and 25 are formedwith slots 3T, 38 and 39, and 41, 42 and 43 respectively in their vouteredges.

While at irst glance the severing cuts 16 and 17 appear to be ofdifferent character and the units of the two groups appear to be otdifferent shapes, such units are, in tact, identical in shape, that isto say, they are congruent `figures in plan. This congruency at oncebecomes ob-vious if each of the elements 19 and 22 for example. isreversed about an axis perpendicular thereto, when it will be observedthat they may each be superposed upon the element. 18 with completecoincidence of outline. It will also bel observed that each unit incutting position, that is, as illustrated' in Figure 1, is completelycomplementary to the next succeeding unit at either end from which it isseparated by a single severing cut; and it is to be further observedthat whether we regard the severing cut at` one end of the unit, or thecut at the other end of the unit, each is defined by a line in reversesymmetry about a point between the longitudinal edges of the elements,and in the pattern illustrated in Figure 1, lying on the broken linesdefining the cuts. As a result of this reverse symmetry, the edges,which are completely complementary in the cutting position, formhomologous sides in the several units which exactly coincide when oneunit is superposed upon another in laying position, that is, in theposition of the units 18, 20, 23 .and `25 of Figure 1, or' of the unitsho-Wn in Figure 2.

Considering nowr the separate unit or roofing element shown in Figure 2;the right hand edge is defined by a broken line best shown in Figure 5,and comprising the portions 46, 47, 43, 49 and 51 and this line -is inreversed symmetry about a point 52 in the center of the portion 48.Considering now the left hand transverse edge; it is Jfound to bedefined by a broken line best shown in Figure 5, and comprising the poiLllaid.

tions 53, 54, 55, 5G, 57, 58 and 59 which are in reversed symmetry aboutthe point (l1 which lies midway in the portion 5G.

In each of the transverse edges of the roofing element a projection isformed. If the line portion 51, Figure 5, be taken as the base, there isformed a projection G2, bctween the lines 48 and 49, and a projection63, bounded on the outer edge by the line 46. On the opposite end,regarding the line portion 49 as a base, a projection G4 is formedbetween the lines 56, 57 and 58, and also a projection G6 bounded on theouter edge by the line 53. IVlien the rooting elements are placed end toend in their laying position in a course, projections 63 and. 6b abut,and also projections 62 and G4, as shown in Figure 3. These edges alsoare complementary in their laying position, to the extent that actualcontact takes place.

Because oic the abutting projections on the adjacent ends of theelements, the edges 51 and 59 ai'e spaced apart a distance preferablyequal to one of the slots such as the slot 29,. so that in the laid roofthe slot (i7 thus formed between adjacent elements in the same course,aie not distinguishable from the other slots formed in the edge of eachelement. rThe lower pair of abutting projections 62 and G4, close theupper end of the slot G7 so that rain driving into the slot is retardedfrom further progress. Some water however may be driven thru the crackbetween the abutting projections no matter how tightly the shingleelements may be Of course too, capillary action will draw moisture thruthis crack, but the ca iillary attraction is destroyed by the opening orgap G8, formed by the union of the recesses between the projections, andsuch moisture drains backwardly under the edges of the adjacentIshingles into the slot 67 or out from under the lower edge of theadjacent shingle tabs.

The extent of exposure to the weather of such a rooting element as Ihave illustrated .in Figure 2 is normally determined by and made equalto the length of the slots 27, 28, and 29, the length being the distancemeasured inwardly from the lower edge ot the element. It is evident thatin laying any number of such elements shingle-fashion, the overlap ofthe irst and third elements, counting up or down the slope of the roof,will be the Width of an element minus the sum of the lengths of twoslots. It then, the length of the slot G7 in Figure 3 is equal to thelength of the slots 28, 29, 39 and 38, the line 47-54, Figure 3, whichbounds the upper portion of the gap or recess (i8 will fall incoincidence with the upper edge of the rooting element lying next below.However in practice I prefer to make the slot 67 longer than. the slots23, 29, 39 and 38 by an appreciable amount, whereby the iao matinee line-l7-5l is brought nearer to the longitudinal axis 7l of the roolingelement 4by an exactly equal amount, and thereby a certain amount ofrooting material above the line l754 is brought into overlappingrelation to the uppermost part of the rooting element lying nextunderneath, as shown in Figure 8. By this means the waterproolness ortightness ot the assembly at 'the end juno tion of the roofing elementsis notably 1mproved. ln practice l lind that making the slot 67 onequarter-of an inch longer than lthe adjoining slots, will satisfactorilyaccomplish the purpose just described.

lt should be noted in passing that the right hand end of the rootingshingle shown in Figure 2 may be defined by a llne, thc portions 5l and46 of which lie in the same straight line, in which Vcase the projection63 is reduced to zero value. Such a change would of course becompensated by a corresponding increase in the length of the projection66. The quality of reversed symmetry about the points` 52 and 6l ishowever not altected.

lt is evident that the roofing unit, as shown in Figure 2, is longer onthe top edge 72 than on the bot-tom edge 7 3. In the manner in which theroofing elements are cut from the sheet as illustrated in Figure l, anaverage linear amount of material is required per element, equal to thesum of the lengths of the top and bottom edges divided by two. ln allother methods of cutting identical roofing elementsbf which l am aware,the linear amount ol" material required is equivaient to the length ofthe longer edge. In other Words the method of cutting which I have setforth in the foregoing description results in a saving, per element, ofan amount of the parent sheet or strip represented by 'one-hall thedifference between the length ol the top and bottom edges, multiplied bythe width of the element itself. As these elements are 34% inches longon the edge 'i' 2 and 33% inches long on the edge 73, and g inches wide,it is evident thatd for yeach element, 21/2 square inches are saved fromwaste by my method of cutting. This amounts' to about $6 of 1%, which inthe large volume of such roofing elements manufactured and sold, is noinsignificant amount.

A further advantage will be found in these roongelements when thequestion of placing and securing them on the roof isy considered. Inlaying such roofing elements the vvorhi'nan usually works from leftk toright. Referring to Figure 3,'after the fastening ol element 18 by thenails 76,V the element 22 would be placed and secured. This is done bylirst placing the shingle strip in 'the position shown and then gaugingvthe right hand end by means of a shinglers gauge affixed to the nailinghatcliet, or it is gauged by positioning the lower edge ot the elementwith relation to the top of the slots in vthe element lying immediatelybelow. rFhe outer end is then secured in place by a single nail, theworkman being assured while fastening the right hand end that the leftend has been held in place by the interlocking of the projections 64 and62. lf it'were not for the interlocking relationship of theseprojections, the element 22 would tend at this time to slip downrootat'its left end, requiring the use of the hand to hold that end in placeor approximately in place while at the same time securing the oppositeor right end. Alter the first nail is driven into the right hand end,the other nails areI driven and the next shingle in the course laid andsecured in the same manner.

Another advantage of my method of cutting, lies in the fact that thearea covered by the two elements 18 and 22 in the cutting position asshown in Figure l is less than the area covered by these same twoelements in the laying position as illustrated in Figure 3, and thisincrease in coveringacapacity of the elements in a given course, overthe actual area of the elements in the course, amounts per element tothe same area as that already described as saved during the cutting,that is about 21/2 square inches.

Still another advantage of my rooting element resides in the relativetightness of the joints between the adjacent shingles in a course.lroportioned and laid as indicated in Figure 3, leakage thru the jointsis elfectually prevented. Such insignificant quanti-ty of Water as maybe driven by high Wind thru the joint at the top of the slot 67 goes nofarther than the recess 68, and readily finds its way out again Withoutleal;- ing thru the underlying course.

lt Will of course be understood that While the rooting element orshingle which I have herein described, has a plurality of exposedshingle-tabs separated by slots, it is not conlined solely to suchmultiple-tab form of element. Rooling elements comprising a singleexposed tab to each element may advantageously be made by my method.

-The term unlike, used in the claims lto define the transverse edges, ismeant to include the condition'in which lines defining thetransverse`edges are unlike and cannot be superimposed upon each other.

l claim:

l. A rooting element comprising a strip of material having eachtransverse edge deined by" a broken `line in reverse symmetry about apoint betweenv the s longitudinal edges, said transverse edges beingunlike.

2. A rooting element 'comprising a strip of' material having eachtransverse edge deined by a broken line in reverse symmetry about apoint between the longitudinal edges, said transverse edges being unlikebut complementary in part. v

3. A roofing element. comprising a strip of' material having eachtransverse edge defined by a broken line in reverse symmetry about apoint -on that edge, saidy transverse edges bein unlike'but in partcomplementary where y one transverse edge of one element is adapted tointerlock with the opposite transverse edge of the 'adjoining elementwhen laid.

4. A rooting element adapted to be laid with other likel elements inoverlapping courses, and having each transverse edge defined by a brokenline such that in laying position the homologous transverse edges of twoadjacent elements are identical and the non-homologous transverse edgesmay be interlocked, the transverse edges of each element being unlike.

5. A roofin element adapted to be laid Vwith other like elements inoverlapping courses, and having on one transverse edge a projection andon the opposite transverse edge having a narrow projection adapted toengage the said first mentioned projection of the adjoining element inthe course and having a wide projection adapted to abut against theledge of the said'adjoining element to j. space the two elements in thecourse.

6. A roofing element adapted to be laid with other like elements 1noverlapping courses, and having on one transverse edge a projection andon the opposite transverse edge having a wide projection adapted to abutagainst the edge of the adjoining element in the course to space it fromthe adjoining element whereby a slot isA formed therebetween, and anarrow projection spacedl from the wide projection and adapted to engagesaid first mentioned projection of said adjoining element and therewithclose the inner end of said slot.

7. A roofing element adapted to be laid with other llke elements inoverlapping courses, and having on one transverse edge a projection andon the opposite transverse edge having a wide projection adapted to abutagainst the edge of the adjoining ele- I nent in the course to space itfrom the adjoining element whereby a slot is formed therebetween, and anarrow projection spaced from the wide projection on the same edge andadapted to interlock with said first mentioned projection of saidadjoining element and therewith close the inner end of said slot.

8. A roofing element adapted to be laid with other like elements inoverlapping courses, and having on one transverse edge a projection and011 the opposite transverse edge having a wide projection adapted to.abut against the edge of the adjoining element in the course to spaceit from the adjoining element whereby a slot is formed therebetween,spaced from the wide projection and adapted to engage said firstmentioned projection of said adjoining element and therewith close theinner end of said sl'ot,said element having a plurality of slots in itsexposed edge similar to the slot formed between adjacent elements.

9. A roofing element comprising a strip of material having eachtransverse edge defined by a broken line in reverse symmetry about apoint on that edge, said transverse edges being unlike but in partcomplementary whereby one transverse edge of one element is adapted tointerlock with the opposite transverse edge of the adjoining elementwhen laid, and whereby a slot is formed between the adjoining elements.

10. A roofing element comprising a strip of material vhaving eachtransverse edge defined by a broken line in reverse symmetry about apoint between the longitudinal edges, said transverse edges beingunlike,

and one longitudinal edge being longer than the other longitudinal edge.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set by hand.

DOZIER FINLEY.

and a narrow projectionl

